FOR UCLA, THIS RIVALRY USUALLY GETS `PERSONAL' BRUINS TIRED OF LISTENING TO WASHINGTON.

Byline: Brian Dohn Staff Writer

SEATTLE - All week, there was a feeling during UCLA's practices that something heavy was about to go down.

It didn't quite reach the crescendo of the Bruins getting ready for USC, but the flavor was distinct.

Today's game against Washington is huge.

``It's always been a good (rivalry), as far as I can remember, since I've been associated with UCLA,'' said coach Karl Dorrell, a Bruins receiver in the mid-1980s. ``It's a big game. It's always tough to play up there. It's a great environment, a great game. The weather conditions are going to be awesome. There will be rain.''

UCLA is kicking off its Pacific-10 Conference schedule against the Huskies. It is the earliest the Bruins have opened conference play since 1997.

There are plenty of reasons for the rivalry. Washington and UCLA, along with USC, are historically the most successful Pac-10 teams.

There have been added off-the-field headlines created by a handful of spats between coaches from both sides. Rick Neuheisel and Bob Toledo used to snipe back and forth about recruiting practices. Dorrell and Washington receivers coach Steve Axman, the Bruins' offensive coordinator last season, are not buddies.

And UCLA believes Washington had a few players in the past, namely receiver Reggie Williams and quarterback Cody Pickett, who have been a little too talkative.

``Washington is huge for us every year,'' said Bruins linebacker Spencer Havner, who also is a team co-captain. ``I feel like Washington is becoming, over the years, a big rival for us. Maybe it's just in my mind, but ever since my freshman year they're always talking, and so it just really irritates me.

``It's a personal game, I think. I don't know if it's just me or the whole team, but Washington is really important to me.''

Several UCLA players declined to discuss the rivalry or the impact of this game. But the players acknowledged facing Washington, and perhaps Oregon, was different than playing almost any other team in the conference.

Why?

``That's a good question,'' said UCLA quarterback Drew Olson, whose first start came two years ago at Washington. ``I don't know what to tell you there.''

The current group of UCLA players have fared well against Washington. The Bruins' 46-16 rout last season at the Rose Bowl was their third consecutive victory over the Huskies and the sixth in the teams' past seven meetings.

Two of UCLA's victories were upsets. The Bruins finished 4-7 in 1999, but their biggest win was a 23-20 overtime thriller against No. 23 Washington. The loss knocked the Huskies out of Rose Bowl consideration.

In 1990, UCLA was trudging through a losing season when it stunned No. 2 Washington 25-22 on the road, ending the Huskies' national title hopes.

The aura and atmosphere of noisy Husky Stadium, considered to give Washington one of the best home-field advantages in the nation, adds to the spectacle.

``You know when you talk about stadiums?'' said Havner, who returned an interception for the game-clinching touchdown in a 2002 victory at Washington. ``That's one of the stadiums you talk about. Right there on the water. The stands are straight up and they're tin, so when they stomp their feet, you can't hear, especially when the game is close.''

This year's version doesn't hold any national significance and might only impact a minor bowl. However, it doesn't change the Bruins' outlook.

``I just love beating them,'' Havner said, ``and we beat them the last three years.''

Brian Dohn, [phone]

brian.dohn(at)dailynews.com